The Nigerian Citizen: A “Reason” Not a “Burden” of Diplomacy

Abstract

Citizens of Nigeria have often been treated as “burdens” rather than “reasons” of diplomacy practically in all formations, outlets, consular and mission outposts in most of the 105 missions of Nigeria abroad. This is a major factor in the corresponding way the Nigerian is perceived and treated by almost all of the foreign missions in Nigeria in which the Nigerian deserve services and
opportunities. The lack of confidence by Nigerians in Diaspora in their country to rescue them in times of need is caused by the response and behaviour of Nigerian foreign officials and outposts. Unfortunately, a section of the media, academics, practitioners, and policymakers assume that this is citizen diplomacy. Far from it, Citizen Diplomacy includes direct contacts in joint activities of various sorts, or involves situations mediated or facilitated by unofficial (non-government) third parties like NGOs, private peacemakers, scholars, sportsmen and women or any other unofficial "bridge builder". Many journal articles, book chapters, media interviews, government policies have equated the care of citizens outside the country to mean citizen diplomacy! What a diplomatic blunder and academic laziness. The care of citizens in the Diaspora is the fifth of the traditional roles of diplomats which clearly states: The protection of National and Citizens interests after Representation, Negotiation, Reporting and Interpretation. This paper is premised on the need to correct the way and manner the Nigerian citizen is treated as a “burden” of diplomacy, correct the wrong narratives of equating citizen diplomacy with the care for citizens in the Diaspora while correcting the interpretation of the concept of citizen diplomacy which is also “tier two” diplomacy. The paper is essentially a field research with reliance on primary and secondary sources
of data in published journals and online articles, newspaper interviews, and books. It is guided by Structural Functionalism Theory and its scope is limited to issues and content analysis bothering on the protection of Diaspora Nigerians’ interests, correct understanding of the concept of citizen diplomacy.